New York's Clean Slate Act set to take effect Saturday

News 12's Thema Ponton speaks with supporters of the Clean Slate Act and the mother of a murder victim who says she's skeptical of it.

Thema Ponton

Nov 14, 2024, 3:40 AM

Updated 21 days ago

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A clean slate is on the way for more than 2 million New Yorkers who are convicted criminals.
The Clean Slate Act is set to take effect Saturday.
It was signed into law last year by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
According to the wording in the bill, "New Yorkers will be eligible to have conviction records automatically sealed three years from sentencing for misdemeanors and eight years from sentencing for felonies, not including time incarcerated."
Supporters of the Clean Slate Act tell News 12 it will help to remove barriers to housing, education and jobs because records would be sealed, so landlords and employers could not see the felony convictions.
Law enforcement and judges would still have access.
The Clean Slate Act does not apply to people currently serving a sentence, those under supervision or people convicted of murder or sex offenses.
News 12 also spoke with Theresa Bliss, the mother of David Bliss.
David Bliss was fatally shot in March 2021 in Port Jefferson Village.
Theresa says two of the three men involved could benefit from the Clean Slate Act.
"I just can't even, it's, it's heartbreaking honestly." said Theresa Bliss.
"David is gone forever, he's gone, he doesn't get a clean slate...I do believe in second chances for certain crimes, but when you're taking the life of an innocent person uh you have to live with the action, your actions." Bliss said.